Intimate Relationships Among Physicians—A Critical Revisit

Abstract

The psychosexual health of doctors and the “medical marriage” has been scrutinized since the dawn of doctors’ health science in the late 1980s.1,2 However, the traditional prototype of hard-working physician-husband and self-sacrificing, stay at home wife, with the latter “waiting for someday” has evolved into a plethora of relationship and role configurations amongst heterosexual and same sex partnerships at various stages of the medical life cycle.3,4 A range of social and systemic changes within and external to the medical profession—including but not limited to the “feminization” of the profession and the rise in dual physician households— have influenced the norms and frames of reference among male and female doctors alike.5,6 These diverse personal, relational, and cultural aspects means that stereotypes and broad assumptions regarding doctors’ relationships are no longer applicable. Notwithstanding these variations, established links between well-being, job satisfaction, and marital satisfaction7,8 and ultimately, patient care9 mandates understanding the unique aspects of doctors’ relationships for the benefit of doctors and patients alike. In this article, we explore medical relationships from a contemporary lens, recognizing this diversity as well as examining the effects of the COVID pandemic. We also posit potential solutions.